>> reporter: charlie we're told that rebels surround the city of damascus which has been an as assad stronghold. bashar al assad is increasingly threatened and could use chemical weapons to hold on to power. she told cbs news that the russians are refusing to give assad asylum. cbs has also learned that the u.s. tends to recognize syrian opposition as the representatives of the syrian people next week. that could start to pave the way for them to create a new government. >> very interesting. margaret brennan, thank you for that. >>> in washington this morning, there are just 26 days left before the fiscal cliff deadline. president obama spoke on the phone with house speaker john boehner on wednesday while his treasury secretary said the white house is, in fact, ready to go straight over the fiscal cliff. major garrett is at the white house. major, gd morning. >> reporter: good morning, charlie and norah. the president will cross over the potomac into northern virginia to meet with a family who says their taxes don't go up, they'll be happier and spend more money. that's the pr side o